Buying DVC from Disney or Resale

Choosing between purchasing a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) membership directly from Disney or through a DVC resale contract is one of the most important financial decisions you'll make in your Disney vacation planning. Both paths give you authentic DVC ownership, but they come with different price points, benefits, and limitations. Let me walk you through the key differences so you can make the choice that's right for your family.

Understanding Your Two Options

Purchasing Direct from Disney

When you purchase DVC points directly from Disney, you're paying full retail price. Current 2024 pricing ranges from $150 per point at Vero Beach to $310 per point at Grand Californian, with Walt Disney World resorts falling between $205 and $275 per point depending on the property.

Direct purchase includes access to Disney's "Membership Extras" program. These perks include merchandise discounts (typically 10-20%), exclusive member events, early access to certain Disney experiences, and occasionally special dining opportunities. The value and availability of these extras can change over time, and Disney updates the program periodically.

Direct buyers can book at any DVC resort using their points, including newer properties like Riviera Resort and the Villas at Disneyland Hotel. You also get the full contract term (typically 50 years for new resorts) and can add on additional points at any time without restrictions.

The DVC Resale Market

DVC resale means purchasing an existing contract from a current member who's decided to sell. The savings are substantial, often 30% to 50% below Disney's current retail prices. These aren't distressed sales or damaged contracts. They're simply existing memberships being transferred from one owner to another.

When you purchase through our resale marketplace, you get the same deeded real estate ownership as direct buyers. Your points work the same way. You can book your home resort at 11 months out, other DVC resorts at 7 months, bank unused points to the following use year, and borrow points from the next use year when needed.

Resale contracts come in different sizes, use years (the month your new points are deposited annually), and remaining contract terms. This variety means you can often find a contract that matches your family's specific vacation patterns and budget.

Restrictions on Resale Contracts

Disney has implemented booking restrictions on resale contracts purchased at older resorts. If you purchase a resale contract at properties like Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, BoardWalk Villas, or Animal Kingdom Villas, you can't use those points to book stays at Riviera Resort or the Villas at Disneyland Hotel.

This restriction applies only to these two newest resorts. Resale owners can still book at the other 13+ DVC properties, including popular destinations like Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Bay Lake Tower, and Aulani in Hawaii. For many families, this limitation has minimal impact on their vacation plans.

Resale buyers typically don't qualify for Membership Extras, though some limited benefits may still be available depending on when and where you purchased. The substantial purchase savings often more than compensate for missing these perks.

Real Numbers: What the Savings Look Like

Let's look at actual examples. A 125-point contract at Bay Lake Tower currently retails for about $275 per point from Disney, or $34,375 total. The same contract size typically sells on the resale market for $160-180 per point, or $20,000-22,500. That's a savings of $11,875-14,375 upfront.

Over a 15-year ownership period, that initial savings could fund multiple additional Disney vacations. Even factoring in annual dues and the missed Membership Extras, the financial advantage of resale is significant for most families.

The Right of First Refusal (ROFR)

Disney maintains the right of first refusal on all resale transactions. This means they can step in and purchase any resale contract at the agreed price if they choose. ROFR typically occurs when contracts are priced significantly below market value, usually to maintain pricing stability in the resale market.

Our experience shows that fairly priced contracts (within current market ranges) rarely face ROFR. When Disney does exercise this right, you're simply returned to the market to find another contract. It's not a rejection of your offer, just Disney protecting their pricing structure.

Working with DVC Sales

We've structured our business differently than most DVC brokers. You pay no buyer's commission. Our 6.9% commission comes from the seller, compared to the industry standard of 9.5%. Your only costs are the contract price, your $500 admin fee, closing costs through a licensed title company, and a prorated share of annual dues if the contract includes banked points.

All our listings include complete contract details: exact point totals, use year, loaded points, contract expiration date, and current annual dues. We work exclusively with existing DVC members who are selling their contracts, not Disney directly, which keeps our inventory focused on true resale opportunities.

Our team includes licensed real estate agents and former Disney cast members who understand both the real estate transaction process and DVC's vacation planning system. We'll guide you through everything from understanding how DVC works to closing on your contract.

Making Your Decision

When Direct Purchase Makes Sense

Consider purchasing directly from Disney if you value the Membership Extras program and plan to use those benefits regularly. Direct purchase also makes sense if you want unrestricted access to book all current and future DVC resorts, including Riviera and any new properties Disney might build.

Some families prefer the simplicity of dealing directly with Disney and having the full remaining contract term (typically 45-50 years for newer resorts). If budget isn't your primary concern and you want every available DVC benefit, direct purchase delivers that complete package.

When Resale Is the Better Choice

For most families focused on Disney vacations rather than extras, resale provides better value. The savings let you purchase more points, take more trips, or simply reduce your overall vacation investment. You get the same ownership rights, the same booking system, and access to the vast majority of DVC resorts.

Resale works particularly well if you're content with Disney World and Disneyland properties, Vero Beach, Hilton Head, and Aulani. These 13+ resorts provide decades of vacation variety without needing access to the two restricted properties.

Financing Considerations

Disney offers financing on direct purchases, typically at higher interest rates than conventional loans. DVC resale financing is available through specialized lenders who understand vacation ownership, often with more competitive rates and terms.

Many resale buyers choose to pay cash, using the lower purchase price to make this more feasible. The reduced upfront investment means less money tied up in vacation ownership and more flexibility for other financial goals.

Planning Your Point Needs

Before deciding where to purchase, determine how many points your family actually needs. Use our DVC point calculator to estimate your annual usage based on your typical Disney vacation patterns.

Consider your family's vacation style over the next few years. Do you prefer studio accommodations for long weekends, or one-bedroom villas for week-long stays? Are you planning Disney World visits, Disneyland trips, or non-Disney destinations like Vero Beach? Your answers will help determine both the number of points you need and which home resort makes the most sense.

Contract Terms and Timing

Direct contracts come with the full remaining term, typically 2070 for most Disney World resorts and 2061 for Disneyland. Resale contracts have varying expiration dates depending on when they were originally purchased. A contract expiring in 2054 versus 2070 might not significantly impact your family's use, but it will affect resale value if you ever decide to sell.

Use year also matters more than many first-time buyers realize. Your use year determines when new points are deposited and when unused points expire. Families who vacation in summer often prefer June or August use years, while those who travel during holidays might want February or December use years.

Common Questions About Direct vs. Resale

Can You Add Points Later?

Direct buyers can add points at any Disney resort without restrictions. Resale buyers can add points, but additional resale purchases at restricted resorts (like Old Key West) won't grant access to Riviera or Disneyland. Adding direct points to an existing resale contract would give you access to all resorts, but only for the points purchased directly.

What About Resale Value?

Both direct and resale contracts can be resold on the resale market. Direct buyers don't recover their full retail purchase price when selling. Instead, their contracts sell for current resale market values, meaning they face similar depreciation to any real estate purchase.

Resale buyers who purchase at fair market value typically see more stable values over time. Since they didn't pay the retail premium initially, they're not trying to recover that premium when selling.

How Long Does Each Process Take?

Direct purchases can close quickly, sometimes within 30 days, since you're dealing directly with Disney's sales and financing teams. Resale transactions typically take 45-75 days due to the right of first refusal period, title work, and estoppel certificate preparation.

Neither timeline should drive your decision. Both processes involve significant financial commitments that deserve careful consideration regardless of how quickly you can close.

Making an Informed Choice

Your decision ultimately comes down to priorities and budget. Direct purchase offers complete access and extras for a higher price. Resale provides substantial savings with minor restrictions for most buyers.

We've helped hundreds of families through this decision over the past 25 years. Some choose direct for the peace of mind and complete benefits package. Many more choose resale for the financial advantages and vacation flexibility it provides.

Whichever path you choose, make sure you understand all costs, restrictions, and benefits before committing. Review our Disney Vacation Club checklist to ensure you're considering all the important factors, and don't hesitate to reach out with questions about how either option might work for your family's specific situation.

The DVC system is designed to provide decades of Disney vacations. Whether you purchase direct or resale, you're investing in years of family memories. Choose the path that best aligns with your vacation goals and financial comfort level.